Definition

To make something hard and likely to break easily.

Example

The chemicals in the environment can embrittle the metal over time.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I read that exposure to moisture can embrittle materials over time.

Really? I didn't know that could happen.

Yeah, it’s important to keep things dry to prevent them from becoming brittle.

That makes sense, especially with things like wood and paper.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Embrittle is formed from "em-" (meaning to cause to be) and "brittle" (from Old English "bryttel", meaning easily broken). The word "embrittle" means to cause something to become brittle or more easily broken.

Memory Tip

Think of the prefix 'em-' meaning to cause, and remember that 'embrittle' means to cause something to become easily broken.

Visually Confused Words